Utilitarianism is a moral philosophy that suggests the best action is the one that maximizes overall happiness or well-being. It evaluates the consequences of actions, aiming to produce the greatest good for the greatest number of people. This approach often involves weighing the benefits and harms of different choices to determine which will lead to the most favorable outcome. The concept was popularized by philosophers like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. They argued that actions should be judged based on their utility, or usefulness, in promoting happiness. Utilitarianism is often applied in various fields, including ethics, politics, and economics, to guide decision-making.